No muu muus at Clarence House! A baby is no bump in the style road for super glam Kate Middleton. Bump it Up: Transform Your Pregnancy into the Ultimate Style Statement author Amy Tara Koch predicts that the Duchess of Cambridge will maintain her elegance throughout her pregnancy. She chatted with USA TODAY about how Kate the Great will craft maternity style that reflects her inherent poise and polish. .
She Will A Frock Star Dresses are the easiest silhouette to wear during pregnancy; especially wrap, shift and trapeze shapes as they disguise bottom heaviness. Kate, a fan of the sheath and wrap silhouettes, will probably sport a modified version of this shape in stretch jersey to accommodate her bump. Royals always pair chic duster or ¾ length coats with day dresses. Kate will continue to layer a jacket over her dresses for maximum poise and polish. But, she will probably move to swing or trapeze coats with no closures for maximum comfort and style. Expect to see her in haute Brit brand Isabella Oliver. Isabella Oliver Ruched Wrap Dress $199
She Will Rule The Empire Empire waist dresses are super flattering during pregnancy. This genius silhouette gathers under the breast and falls loosely to the hip, knee or floor covering bulging bellies and butts with cascading fabric. The empire waist accentuates the ribcage giving the wearer an attenuated frame.It also puts the focus on the arms and shoulders, places where pregnancy weight does not manifest itself. Rosie Pope Stella Dress $253
She Will Be A Cut Above For black tie and high profile royal dutoes, Kate will most likely turn to her trusted fashion friends-Sarah Burton and Issa- for custom maternity garments. .
She Will Remain Well Heeled Do not expect the Duchess to waddle about in flats. She will wear kitten heels, wedge heels and stacked heels to keep her out of the preggo dumps. Jimmy Choo Mara Sling Back with Bow Detail $725 .
She Will Get Waisted When you your stomach bulges, a strategically placed belt helps to create a semblance of a pre-pregnancy waistline. The Duchess will most likely sport a skinny belt just under her bust to streamline her look. .
She Will Not Break A Sweat Don’t expect to see a Royal in sweat pants. On casual days, she will probably wear dark denim maternity jeans or sleek leggings with a long tunic top.
The grass is always more alluring on the other side.
Many women say that a summer pregnancy is worse than a winter one. I disagree. While it’s true that you can “hide” in mountains of wool and cashmere, these layers actually add extra pounds to your already expansive frame. Factor in a coat and you’ve got bulk. While it’s true that the heat of the summer months can cause additional swelling, warm weather dresses offer an element of sultriness that is tough to pull off in tundra like conditions. Why? Well, summery, light-as-air dresses celebrate a pregnant woman’s body. They play up décolletage, bare arms, neck and the slope of the shoulders, sexy hot spots where pregnancy weight does not manifest. The drape ‘n cling of the lightweight fabrics prove that the bump (and boobs) are, in fact, showstopping accessories. The best part? Fashion longevity. Because they are inherently drapey, most of these dresses will look great during your pregnancy and afterwards.
Beyonce. Keri Russell. Lily Allen. Jennifer Garner. Whether they are shopping or walking the red carpet, the parade of chic pregnant celebs dazzles the mind. Here’s what I have discovered. Bump savvy celebs are not miracles of nature. They have simply mastered the high art of mix and match fertility fashion; a combination of must-have maternity with easy civilian silhouettes that embrace and enhance their bumps. Want their secrets? Here, I have dissected their ensembles so the average preggo can get the look
Celebs moms–polished and sporty–may look like they stepped from a photo shoot as they breeze from Walgreens to playground in People Magazine. They have a sartorial trick up their kimono sleeve. THE SECRET? They approach fashion formulaically by reworking versatile basics and layering them with groovy accessories.
So how can the average woman channel the effortless je ne sais quoi of Nicole Richie, Gwen, Heidi and Rachel Zoe? By investing in quality basics and strategically layering with compelling accent pieces.
I transform part of the legendary Fox Theater into the Bump It Up Style Lounge featuring Belli Skincare, Isabella Oliver Maternity and Pish Posh Mommy.
The Bump It Up Lounge in Atlanta at the Child and Baby Expo with Pish Posh Mommy, Isabella Oliver and Belli Skincare.
Godiva Chocolate and accessories–what could be sweeter?
Isabella Oliver clothing (from top left, clockwise)
I style guests with go-to celeb maternity brand, Isabella Oliver, and show them how to look like long, lean, baby making machines.
The key to staying organized as a mom?
PISH POSH MOMMY’S chic Carry-alls!
Bethany Fite of Belli Skincare gives customized skin consultations to preggos
I take the stage to congratulate Desiree Miller on creating the impressive Baby and Child Expo
Speaking On behalf of groovy moms everywhere—we have worked hard all year and now it is time for family members to prove your devotion to us. No hint—no get…
I teamed up with Chicago’s most famous chocolatier Katrina Markoff to create Mama’s Chocolat Gift Tower, a chocolate kit based on pregnancy cravings: spicy, fruity, savory.cheesy—it has it all. Style advice and a stash of the perfect chocolates
Cupcakes? For breakfast? Deconstruction is the name of foodie Patty Rothman’s game and she is a master at profiling intense flavors and Willy-Wonkifying them into savory cupcakes that skew more entrée than dessert. For Mom’s day she offers Breakfast in Bed squeezed into a delicious cupcake: Bacon/Maple, Cappuccino, Cinnamon roll, Passion. National delivery available!
Peek at magazines and shops and it is easy to see that tis the season of the accessory. What’s hot? Attention grabbing cuffs that add a dash of flash to basic ensembles.
There is an inimitable dread every mom feels about swimsuit shopping. Take the anxiety out of mom’s summer by proffering her a stylish suit designed with slimming and shaping technology to make her look 10 pounds thinner!
The nautical sweater is the knit du jour for spring/summer. The length of this Isabella Oliver version makes it supremely versatile and perfect for leggings, shorts, jeans or a dress
Isabella Oliver Breton Boyfriend Cardigan, $139
Amy talking style, fashion and beauty with Lauren from A Mommy in the city at Getting Gorgeous
I had such a blast on the first leg of my BUMP IT UP STYLE SOLUTIONS tour! At GETTING GORGEOUS, my BUMP IT UP STYLE LOUNGE featuring BELLI SKINCARE, ISABELLA OLIVER, TIDE FREE & GENTLE and PISH POSH MOMMY was a huge hit!. A style expert, j’adore helping women to look and feel their best within the time constraints of a parents’ chaotic lifestyle. Not only did I get to “bump up” countless preggos, but I also had the opportunity to show busy mom bloggers my “five minute fixes” to looking longer and leaner. The trick? Some sartorial sleight of hand; creating a “uniform” of flattering basics and using strategically placed accessories to emphasize the features that you like. And, camouflage what you are not so fond of.
Here are some fab highlights and tweets from the premier BUMP IT UP STYLE LOUNGE
Amy styling Sierra Rix–a five-time mom to be
“One super fun highlight (did I really just say “super fun?”) was getting styled by Amy Tara Koch the brains behind Bump It Up – a guide to maternity fashion. Oh Amy, where were you 4 pregnancies ago?”
-Sierra, Actual Mom
Georgetown cupcakes and Belli samples
“There was no question what to pair with the mimosa…a Georgetown Cupcake, of course! I may or may not have had more than one. I’ll just say that they are like potato chips, and that is all I will say about that!”
-Sheila, Pieces of a Mom
Amy and Karla
“Amy Tara Koch, stylist and author of “Bump It Up” was in the house! She was transforming the countless “bumps” and “non-bumps” into fashionistas. She basically took my black button down, unbuttoned it to show some more skin, added a cardi and a skinny belt. Now why didn’t I think of that?”
-Karla Trotman, Bellybuttonboutique.com
Amy showing ladies how to look their best
“There was an awesome booth for Isabella Oliver Clothing. There was an amazing black sequin jacket that I drooled over while chatting it up with Amy Tara Koch. She has amazing style and even has a book but more importantly she keeps it real. She had an impromtu fashion 101 session with one of the invites as she walked by. I loved it!”
“My favorite experience of Getting Gorgeous was when I got to meet Amy Tara Koch who I interviewed on MomTrends in an article entitled “Winter Traveling Made Easy” a few months ago. Her fun and interactive display took components from her fabulous book Bump It Up and allowed Bloggers to sample cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake, test out products from Belli ( reviews on their line soon), learn more the cutest diaper bags ever by Pishposh Mommy and get styled by Koch herself!…Koch also spoke to me about how maternity clothing doesn’t have to be all about wearing your typical spandex and gigantic shirts. It’s about finding pieces that aren’t too trendy and those that are diverse enough to be worn after the baby as well as to add fun jewelry – especially towards the end, as you get bigger. I loved her fun and energetic attitude that defiantly inspired me to kick it up a notch in the maternity wear department.”
“I spent most of my time in the Bump It Up lounge with Amy Tara Koch, author and stylist, who gave me her personal style tips for looking and feeling sexy while being pregnant. She showed me some great pieces from Isabella Oliver and Lia Sophia Jewelry. She also showed me some great (and stylish) diaper bag inserts from Pishposh Mommy, while I dined on the most amazing cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake.”
“@AmyTaraKoch Thanks for teaching this plain jane mama to “Bump It Up” @GetGorgEvents Can’t wait to get some scarves and necklaces!”
-Melissa, @simpleagain
Pregnant in sequins? Of course! Here, Isabella Oliver’s glam blazer
I am super excited preparing for GETTING GORGEOUS, the Mom meet up of the season in NYC. Why ? I am debuting the BUMP IT UP STYLE LOUNGE a pop up shop of some of my favorite products.
I worked with YOUR GREEN ROOM to create a groovy lounge with a love seat, ottoman and uber chic high boys. I teamed up with my fave maternity fashion brand ISABELLA OLIVER and will be performing one on one styling sessions with women showing them how to “bump up” their style and dress for their body type. Guests will relax with hand and neck massages by BELLI and learn the high art of the FAUX GLOW. The cupcake sisters behind TLC’s smash hit DC CUPCAKES are hand delivering treats to my lounge Saturday morning! I will also be telling women about my popular “five minute fixes” which are a manna for moms yearning for easy ways to “glammify” within the parameters of a chaotic parenting schedule. Cant wait for tomorrow!